California Grown Lettuce and Leafy Greens Not Implicated in FDA Outbreak Advisory

California-grown lettuce and leafy greens (bagged or whole heads of leafy greens) sold at grocery stores and restaurants are not implicated in federal health agency advisories concerning Cyclospora illnesses associated with shredded iceberg lettuce grown and processed in Mexico.

From April to November, California grows and ships the vast majority of the lettuce and leafy greens available to consumers nationwide.

California leafy greens are produced under the most stringent food safety standards in the nation. In addition to federal regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule, mandatory audits of leafy greens farms for compliance with state food safety standards are required and conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture for products commercially distributed to restaurants and retailers throughout the nation.

To protect consumers, GSA reiterates the importance of following Cyclospora outbreak advisories and recommendations issued by federal and state health officials.

For more produce safety information, see below for statements from California’s Secretary of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner for Foods:

Secretary Karen Ross, California Department of Food and Agriculture

“Food safety is essential to consumer health and trust, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) takes our role seriously. We know the repercussions can be significant, both for those who get ill and their families, as well as on business operations and local economies. Through the leadership of CDFA’s Inspection Services Division with our state and federal partners, the Leafy Green Marketing Agreement and other industry stakeholders, thousands of audits and farm inspections happen each year. We also participate in education events, research projects and work groups to continually improve food safety programs, support farming practice adoption, and ensure food grown in California remains the safest in the country.”

Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas:

“Americans should feel confident in eating fresh produce including leafy greens at this point.” And, products “related to the cyclospora outbreak has been effectively removed from the market.”